NCLM Awards Recognize McGrady, Newton

September 23, 2017

(GREENVILLE, N.C.) -- State Rep. Chuck McGrady and State Sen. Paul Newton were recognized Friday night as recipients of the N.C. League of Municipalities' Community Champion Award.

The award was presented to each legislator for dedicated support of North Carolina cities and towns during the 2017 legislative session. The presentations took place at CityVision 2017, NCLM's annual conference held this week in Greenville.

Representative McGrady is serving his fourth term in the N.C. House, representing Hendersonville and portions of Henderson County. A co-chair of the House Appropriations Committee, he was a key advocate for the defeat of harmful billboard legislation which the League actively opposed.

Sen. Newton is serving his first term in the state Senate, representing Cabarrus County and portions of Union County. Despite that freshman status, he played a crucial role in pursing legislation which ensured that cities and towns could continue assessing development impact fees going forward in the face of an adverse court ruling. Without the legislation, well-coordinated growth in cities and towns across North Carolina would have been threatened and costs pushed off on existing property tax payers.

McGrady, a former Flat Rock Village Council member and Henderson County commissioner, noted that he takes as a compliment being characterized, at times, as continuing to act like a local government official.

“I so much appreciate this recognition from my kindred souls in local government," he said.

Outgoing League President Bob Matheny, Mayor of Zebulon, praised both Newton and McGrady for their willingness to listen to and consider the concerns of municipal officials.

“We truly appreciate your work at the General Assembly and that you are willing to make the sacrifice to serve in Raleigh," Matheny said.

About the League

The North Carolina League of Municipalities is a membership association of 540 great hometowns – representing nearly every municipality in the state. The League advocates for its members, from the largest city to the smallest village, on the full range of legislative issues that affect municipalities.

For more than 100 years, the League has promoted – and continues to promote – good government by offering non-partisan advocacy, insurance and other services – as directed by its membership.​